From Catalogue to Knowledge Discovery: A Practical Framework for Leveraging Author Biographies

This paper explores transforming library catalogs into dynamic knowledge systems by integrating author biographies into OPAC. The integration of author biographies with Koha, VuFind, authority records, and MARC 21 fields enables the accurate linking of author identifiers to bibliographic entries. Wikipedia-based configurations seamlessly embed authoritative biographies within the interface and enrich the user experience. Results show enriched catalogue records with improved discoverability, accuracy, and contextual depth. This framework merges authority control with biographical enrichment, enhancing user engagement and intellectual exploration. It offers a replicable model to evolve OPACs into dynamic discovery portals valuable for academic research and cultural engagement.